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ADHD Children - Researchers believe watching TV does not cause the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

March 7th, 2006

ADHD Children - Researchers believes watching TV does not cause the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Television

CBS news reported about a recent research report from Texas Tech University in Lubbock which found children watching TV did not cause ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This study was first reported in current issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The researchers studied 5,000 children that were in kindergarten or first grade. They surveyed parents, teachers, and the children. The kindergarteners when they were surveyed twice. Once in kindergarten and again when they were in first grade. The researchers did not see any pattern that would suggest a link to TV watching and ADHD.

There has been in the past, research studies that say the exact opposite - TV watching causes ADHD.

The survey asked questions about the children’s activities. It asked questions that could be used as a screening for ADHD. The researchers did not have an official diagnosis of ADHD for the participants in this project. The study did not break down the type of TV shows that the children were watching.

The researchers suggest that the child may possibly watch more TV as a babysitter for tired parents of an overly active child. A child with ADHD could possibly have inherited a predisposition that causes them to be overactive.

The researchers of this study note that ADHD temperaments existed before TV was ever around. More research needs to pinpoint the cause of ADHD, while TV may be part of the problem; it is not likely the sole contributor to the problem.